Fixture strap



y 12, 1932- G. .JxSVETCOkF ,9

FIXTURE STRAP Filed March 10, 1931 GEORGEJJVETCOFF.

Patented July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES GEORGE J. SVETCOFF, or mmvmm, PENNSYLVANIA FIXTURE STRAP Application filed March 10, 1931 Serial No. 521,558.

This invention relates to attaching straps especially adapted for use in mounting electric fixtures.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates a fixture strap having means by which electric wall or ceiling fixtures may be attached to an Outlet box without the aid of such accessories as fixture studs, extension nipples, reducing bushings, and hickeys, it being l noted that electricians find it annoying to keep on hand adequate supplies of all these accessories to enable them to mount fixtures of various types.

A further and equally important object of the invention is to provide a fixture attaching strap which may be secured to the outer side of an outlet box to leave the in; terior of the boxfree for the spliced end portions of the numerous wires that extend .to

' so and from the box as distinguished from the present fixture attaching devices which extend through the box, and in some cases, leave insuflicient space for the splices, with the result that the splices are caused to ex- 55 tend into the adjacent fixture shield.

The-invention also contemplatesa fixture strap of the type suggested which may be applied to boxes of diflerent sizes with equal facility and which is reliable in use and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a 85 part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved fixture strap applied.

Figure 2 is a side elevation illustrating the application of the improved fixture strap, parts being shown in section, and the view being taken on line 22of Figure 1.

Figure 3' is a longitudinal sectional view through the strap detached.

Figure 4 is a perspective of the improved strap. 1

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a. preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates an outlet box having the usual knockout discs which may be removed to form openings through. which cables or Wires 6 extend. Of course, fastening devices 7 provide for the anchoring of the wires 6 to the outlet box and the ends of the wires are spliced as indicated at 8, all of this being old and Well known to those skilled in the art.

The invention forming the subject of this application is in the nature of a strap having an elongated body generally designated by the numeral 10 and provided with longitudinally' extending slots 12 terminating short of the ends of the body and adapted for the passage of the fastening screws 14 carried by inwardly extending'apertured ears 16, of the outletbox. As is well known to those skilled in the art the fastening devices 14 and the apertured ears 16 were intended originallyto provide for the attachment of a cover plate or the like to the outlet boxfand inaccordance with this inventionthe fastening devices and the apertured ears are 'em ployed to detachablysecure the improved fixture strap to the outlet box. In this connection, it might be noted that the provision of the longitudinal slots 12 provides a simple means by which the strap may be connected to either three or four inch boxes, making the I device capable of universal application.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the body [10 is providedbetween the ends thereof with an annular boss 20 threaded on the outside with a standard inch male pipe thread. In this figure, the boss is shown to be internally threaded with a standard 4 inch female pipe thread. This figure further illustrates that the body itself is formed with an opening 22, having the wall thereof formed with a A; inch female pipe thread. Thus, the

threadsinteriorly and exteriorly of the boss 20 and the threads in the wall of the openthrough the aid of the external threads on such boss.

It is illustrated in Figure 2 that the connection of a pipe or hanger of any'kind to 5 the outlet box is accomplished exteriorly of the box. That is to say, no part of the connecting devices extends through the box. This leaves the interior of the box free for the meeting end portions of the various wires 6 and for the necessary wrapping of the meeting ends. The shield 34 mountedon the pipe 30 may be moved into engagement with the wall adjacent the box and will conceal the fixture strap as well as the spliced end portions of the wires 6. It might be noted that the boss not only provides a means by which pipes of various sizes may be connected to the strap, but that it provides a guide for a pipe to be threaded through the 20 opening 22.

' fixture strap constructed in accordance with this invention will be found useful in that the employment of the same will relieve an electrician of thenecessity of carrying on hand a large supply of the fastening do vices, such as hickeys heretofore mentioned. A fastening strap in one size will suffice for all other fastening devices of the type described. Of course, the invention is adaptable for use in connection with ceiling as well as wall outlets, and maybe employed in connection with fixtures of a variety of types.

It is to be understood that the form of invention herewith shown and described is to be taken merely as a preferred example of the same, and that such minor changes and arrangements in construction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is 49 claimed.

' Having thus described the invention What is claimed is:

g In a fixture strap for attaching electric fixtures to outlet boxes, an elongated body provided between the ends thereof with an opening, having the wall thereof threaded, said body being provided on one side with an annular boss concentric to said opening and being internally and externally threaded and constituting a means by which a pipe may be guided into said threaded opening, said body being provided with means by which the same may be connected toran outlet box. I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEO. J. SVETCOFF. 

